Ever since the weather changed from 50s to 30s and below, my daughter's skin has become very scaly and bumpy and dry. The same thing happened last year and I am pretty sure it is from dry air. I put lotion on it all last winter and it didn't seem to help much. It resolved itself when spring came. For the past week I've been rubbing jojoba oil on her after her bath and have so far not seen much change. She does get plenty of fluids during the day.
So my question is: Are there any products out there that are especially good at healing this kind of dry skin? I prefer natural, organic-based things but am willing to give "conventional" products a go, as well.
Thank you!
Agree with Mimi and not just the lotion but the hand wash, body wash etc that all come together to help take care of the dry skin or other skin problems.
I prefer organic or natural myself. Renew lotion is great. It is made by a company that specializes in natural products and it does wonders for dry skin, ezcema, psoriasis, rosacea and many other topical issues. It contains an essential oil that is very healing. I use it for my winter dry skin and all thru the year for my 92 year Dad who is bedridden. It's safe for little ones and can also be a great diaper cream. I'ts been clinically, double blind, tested in Winnepeg Canada in the middle of their cold winter. It's results were 75% better than the prescribed medications it was tested against.
If you'd like some additional info on it let me know.
M.
PS Avoid petroleum jelly as it is just that, a petroleum product and it is toxic. Nutrition is absolutely essential. I can recommend an absorbable children's chewable vitamin that will help as well. Others on the market can be dangerous as they create free radicals.
My daughter has this same problem each winter, and what we found that works the best is Desitin Clear ointment. There's no alcohol like regular moisturizers, and it doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy, nor does it contain alcohol (like most other moisturizers), so it doesn't burn the skin.
First, be patient. It can take a few weeks for eczematic skin to heal. We really like California Baby products (can find at Target or online) - especially the Calendula cream (the tub of cream, not the regular Calendula lotion.) All natural, no alcohol, preservatives, masking agents, any of the stuff in regular lotion that can irritate sensitive skin. We also really like the Super Sensitive lotion. I agree with the folks that suggest looking at all the products that go on your daughter's skin, for sensitive kids, especially in the winter, all of it can add up to irritation. I suggest trying out one of their lotions and shampoo/body wash by getting a smaller bottle at Target (or Whole Foods, or Mississippi Market - I don't know whether the Wedge carries it, but I'd be surprised if not.) Then once you find something you like, you can buy in half-gallon or gallon sizes at their website - saves a lot of money (and plastic bottles.)
http://www.californiababy.com/
For really troublesome spots, Lansinoh (yeah, the stuff for sore nipples) works really well - plus, since it's medically purified, works great on face and hands, where it ends up in their mouths. It gets a little messy, I usually slather my boys up at night right before bed, and either put a towel on their pillows or lay a light blanket down over their sheets so I don't have to wash the sheets every three days. (It does come out in the wash, although you might want to spot treat big splotches on sheets or clothes.)
Be patient. It can take awhile. Good Luck!
Sometimes our bodies lack from the inside out. I have a friend who had "sandpaper" hands since childhood and got made fun of. When she started Reliv, which is a nutrtion product, it went away. However, Reliv does also have a body lotion and the healing effects are wonderful so you could check that out as well if you really want to stick to working just on the outside ;)
http://www.relivables.com/US/EN/womenspersonalcare.html
You can email me back if you want more information.
L.
My daughter and I both have very dry skin on our hands and scalp. The only thing that heals for us is Vaseline. Although it is very greasy it sure helps. I also try to make sure that my daughter rinses her hands well after washing to make sure all the soap is off. We have also tried lubriderm but it didn't work as well.
My granddaughter has very dry skin and eczema and we use this regiment on her skin.
Her soap is a very mild, glycerin made by a wonderful woman named Cindy. She also makes a butter bar whick is great for the very dry spots. Order here: www.soapourri.com
For an OTC lotion I like to generously apply Burt's Bees Honey and Shea Butter. This can be bought at most drug stores, health stores, and grocery stores around here. Also try: www.burtsbees.com
Using these products my granddaughter's skin stays wonderful year round.
I agree with taking fish oils, flaxseed. Another thing is to use a humidifier.
I have always used food grade virgin coconut oil for lotion, but I very rarely have to use it. And I am mindful of what kind of soaps I use, I usually only use a gentle coconut based liquid castille soap that I can water down, like Dr.Bronner's.
But also, because this change happened when the temperature dropped, I suspect that the air is very dry now in your home, and is even more dry due to the heat being on. I read once that a home in the wintertime with the central heat on is more arid than the Sahara desert! So I would recommend a good humidifier to balance your environment. I have had a humidifier for about 5 years now and notice a HUGE difference in the wintertime now. It keeps the home warmer when the air is moist, and cuts down on sickness and eliminates dry skin. Good luck!
I've found that a lotion with an oil in it helps the most. I really like the Johnson and Johnson version.
My sister swears that if your skin gets patchy and scaly it is a lack of oil. She recommends Flax seed oil or something similar. You should be able to find something in your local health food store.
Renew from Melaleuca, got me off a prescription cream as well as wearing band aides it was so bad.
S.
Emollient creams work better than lotions, tho jojoba oil should help. Does her skin itch? Your description sounds like eczema with the exception that you didn't mention it itching. Eczema does itch.
I suggest that she bathe as seldom as possible. Possibly use a bath oil or oatmeal in the bath water. Always smear an oil or emollient cream on her skin while it's still damp. The cream or oil will seal the moisture in. Hot water drys the skin out.
For eczema my granddaughter's allergist said to bathe often because her skin is always dry with or without a bath and to always apply the cream or oil on immediately after patting her skin dry so the skin is still moist. It does help somewhat.
Petroleum jelly works well. There is now a lotion like Vaseline which we used on my granddaughter a few years ago both after her bath and during the day. Her preschool teacher applied it during the day too.
Aveeno for sensitive skin for babies or children works for my son.
In addition to the creams, etc. that you can put on the surface of the skin, remember that skin is an organ and has an internal side. Diet affects skin, too.
Have you tried adding high quality Omega-3 fish oil supplements (in the old days, this was called Cod Liver Oil) to her diet? High quality fish oils are available in health food stores or food co-ops (like Whole Foods). I don't trust the quality at Walgreen's etc.
Fish oil also boosts the immune system, since fish oil is often high in Vitamin D. (Its good for adults too.)
It takes a little while to build up in the system. Since I've been taking it in the last couple years, my skin issues have cleared, and I get a lot of compliments about my shiny hair and nails to boot!
